Commerce Department and Treasury Department Release Fact Sheet Supporting the Cuban People’s Right to Safe and Secure Access to the Free Flow of Information on the Internet

WASHINGTON – On July 11, 2021, tens of thousands of Cuban people marched in cities across their country to demand freedom from decades of repression and economic suffering to which they have been subjected by Cuba’s authoritarian regime. Standing with the Cuban people in the face of ongoing repression is a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. Accordingly, at President Biden’s direction, the United States is actively pursuing measures that will both support basic human rights for the Cuban people and hold the Cuban regime accountable.

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), and the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), are issuing a joint fact sheet to highlight ways to ensure that the Cuban people have safe and secure access to the free flow of information on the Internet. The fact sheet explains the most relevant exemptions, authorizations and exceptions pertinent to supporting the Cuban people through the provision of certain Internet and related telecommunications services, as well as the free flow of information on and with the island.

“Connecting the Cuban people to each other and the outside world, particularly through the Internet, is a powerful tool to promote democracy and human rights on the island,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Export Administration Matthew S. Borman. “BIS will work with civil society organizations and the private sector to provide Internet access to the Cuban people that circumvents the regime’s censorship efforts.”

The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Treasury stand with the Cuban people in their demand for democracy, human rights, and freedom from the rule of a failed communist regime. The fact sheet released today outlines the steps exporters may take to seek additional clarification regarding license exceptions and authorizations and, as applicable, to request individual licenses, regarding items necessary to ensure the free flow of information, to, from, and among the Cuban people.

Source: Press Release
Date: August 11, 2021
Media Contact:
Office of Public Affairs, publicaffairs@doc.gov